Dog food nutrition facts

1. Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the main source of energy needed by pets. In order to ensure their own physical survival, health, development, reproduction, heart beating, blood circulation, gastrointestinal motility, muscle contraction and other activities, pets require a large amount of energy, and 80% of these required energy are provided by carbohydrates of. Carbohydrates include sugar and fiber.
The daily carbohydrate requirement for adult dogs is 10 grams per kilogram of body weight, and for puppies, approximately 15.8 grams per kilogram of body weight.
2. Protein
Protein is an important source of body tissue and body cells in pets. Protein plays a variety of functions such as conduction, transportation, support, protection, and movement. Protein also plays a catalytic and regulatory role in pets' life and physiological metabolic activities, and plays a major role in maintaining life activities.
As carnivores, pet dogs have different abilities to digest proteins in different feed ingredients. The digestibility of most animal offal and fresh meat is 90-95%, while the protein in plant feeds such as soybeans can only be digested 60-80%. If dog food contains too much plant-based protein that is not easy to digest, it will cause abdominal pain or even diarrhea; moreover, too much protein requires liver degradation and kidney excretion, which will increase the burden on the liver and kidneys. Generally, the protein requirement of adult dogs is 4-8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, and that of growing dogs is 9.6 grams.
3. Fat
Fat is an important component of pet body tissues and is involved in the formation and repair of almost all cells. Fat is contained in pets' skin, bones, muscles, nerves, blood, and internal organs. In pet dogs, body fat accounts for up to 10~20% of their body weight;
Fat is the most important source of energy. Lack of fat can cause itchy skin, increased dandruff, rough and dry fur, and ear infections, making domestic dogs dull and nervous. Appropriate intake of fat can stimulate appetite, make food more in line with their taste, and promote fat-soluble vitamins. Absorption of A, D, E, K. The digestibility of fat by pet dogs can reach almost 100%. The fat requirement for adult dogs is 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, and for growing dogs, it is 2.2 grams.
4. Minerals
Minerals are another type of nutrients that are indispensable for pet dogs. They include elements needed by the human body, such as calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium, iron, etc. Minerals are important raw materials that make up the collective tissues of pet dogs and help regulate acid-base balance, muscle contraction, nerve responses, etc. in the body.
Pet dogs are most likely to be deficient in calcium and phosphorus. Deficiency can lead to many bone diseases, such as rickets, rickets (puppies), osteoporosis (adult dogs), paralysis in postpartum bitches, etc. An imbalance in the calcium-phosphorus ratio can also lead to leg diseases (lameness, etc.).
Generally, pet food lacks sodium and chlorine, so a small amount of salt needs to be added to dog food (electrolytes, potassium, sodium, chlorine and trace elements are essential). Iron deficiency can lead to anemia; zinc deficiency can lead to underdeveloped fur and dermatitis; manganese deficiency can lead to skeletal dysplasia and thick legs; selenium deficiency can cause muscle weakness; iodine deficiency can affect the synthesis of thyroxine.
5. Vitamins
Vitamins are low-molecular organic compounds that are necessary for pet body metabolism and are required in small amounts. They are generally not synthesized in the body and mainly rely on pet food and dog food. Except for a few individual vitamins, most of the requirements are in dogs. Add extra to the grain. They do not provide energy and are not structural components of the body, but they are absolutely indispensable in the diet. If a certain vitamin is lacking or insufficient for a long time, it can cause metabolic disorders and pathological conditions, leading to vitamin deficiency.
Fat-soluble vitamins: Vitamins A, D, E, K, B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, biotin, choline) and vitamin C.
Don't worry about excess B vitamins (excess B vitamins will be excreted from the body). Because domestic dogs do not eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, and grains like humans, they are deficient in B vitamins.
Vitamin E plays a significant role in nutrition and beauty. Because vitamins are easily damaged by sunlight, heat, and air humidity, vitamins should be added to dog food.
6. Water
Moisture: Water is an important condition for the survival of humans and animals (including all living things). Water can transport various substances necessary for life and eliminate unnecessary metabolites in the body; promote all chemical reactions in the body; regulate body temperature by dissipating a large amount of heat through unconscious water evaporation and sweat secretion; synovial fluid in joints, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract Mucus in the tract has a good lubricating effect. Tears can prevent dry eyes, and saliva helps moisten the pharynx and help swallow food.